You’d think counting countries would be easy. Like, just look at a map, right? But when people ask how many Muslim countries are there, the answer depends entirely on who you’re talking to and what "Muslim country" actually means to them. Are we talking about places where the government is run by religious law? Or just places where most people happen to be Muslim?
It’s a massive distinction.
If you look at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is basically the "United Nations" of the Muslim world, they have 57 member states. That is usually the number people throw around in trivia or school reports. But here is the kicker: some of those countries, like Guyana or Suriname in South America, aren't even Muslim-majority. They just have significant ties or histories that make them want a seat at the table.
The Difference Between Majority and Official
Most people are actually looking for one of two things: countries where Islam is the "official" state religion, or countries where more than 50% of the population is Muslim.
Currently, there are 27 countries that have officially declared Islam as their state religion in their constitutions. These are places like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan. In these nations, the religion isn't just a personal choice; it’s baked into the legal and political identity of the state.
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On the flip side, there are roughly 50 countries where the majority of the population is Muslim.
This leads to some wild variety. You've got Turkey, which is famously secular (mostly), and then you've got the Maldives, which is a tropical paradise but actually has very strict religious laws. Honestly, if you traveled from Indonesia to Morocco, you’d barely recognize the "Muslim-ness" of the two places as being the same thing. The food, the way people dress, and even how they pray are flavored by thousands of years of local culture.
A Breakdown of the "Big Names"
To get a real handle on how many Muslim countries are there, you have to look at the regions. It’s not just the Middle East. In fact, the most populous Muslim country in the world isn't even in the Middle East—it’s Indonesia.
- South & Southeast Asia: Home to the biggest numbers. Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh alone account for hundreds of millions of people.
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): This is the heartland. Egypt, Iran, and Iraq are the heavy hitters here.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Countries like Nigeria (which is about half-and-half) and Senegal have huge, vibrant Muslim communities.
- Central Asia: Former Soviet states like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are majority Muslim but often have a very different, more secular vibe because of their history with the USSR.
Why the Number 57 is Famous
The OIC is the main reason why people say there are 57 Muslim countries. It was started back in 1969 after an arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. It was a "we need to stick together" moment.
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But even within this group, there’s drama. Syria was suspended for over a decade because of their civil war, though they were recently reinstated in 2025. This just goes to show that the list isn't static. Politics changes everything.
The Secular vs. Islamic State Debate
Some countries, like Albania or Azerbaijan, are majority Muslim but their governments are strictly secular. They don't want religion in their laws at all. Then you have the "Islamic Republics"—Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, and Pakistan. These are the ones where the "how many" question gets serious because the religion is the law.
And don't even get started on the "State Religion" group. Places like Malaysia or Jordan recognize Islam as the official faith, but they still have a mix of secular and religious courts. It’s a messy, fascinating middle ground.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is thinking that "Arab" and "Muslim" are the same thing. They aren't. Not even close.
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Most Muslims aren't Arab.
Take a look at West Africa. In places like Senegal, Islam is the fabric of life, but the culture is purely Wolof or French-influenced. Or look at Bosnia and Herzegovina in Europe. They are European, they've been there forever, and they are Muslim. It's way more diverse than a "Middle East" label suggests.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you're trying to get a handle on this for a project or just because you're traveling, here’s how to categorize them in your head:
- Count the OIC members (57) if you want the "official" political bloc.
- Count the constitutional states (27) if you're looking for where Islam is the legal state religion.
- Count the population majorities (roughly 50) if you want to know where the culture is primarily Islamic.
Honestly, the world is moving so fast that these definitions are always shifting. Keep an eye on the OIC updates and Pew Research data, as they are the gold standard for tracking these shifts.
The next time someone asks you how many Muslim countries are there, tell them it’s somewhere between 27 and 57, depending on whether you’re talking about the law, the people, or the politics.